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Posted: 3/30/2005 8:51:33 AM EDT
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Opinions please, I'm trying to stay around $500.00. I know many will say "oh, spend the extra 50 or 100 for...,: But I'm really trying to stop the price creep. I started out thinking AK. Then I thought, "gee..It sure would be nice to be able to shoot at 200+ yards without having to hold over by 6 feet". So I'm thinkin AK-74. Then I think "Hmm I'm in rock throwin distance (price wise) from a C.A.R. So I'm trying to come up with a "cheap" build without ending up with junk. Here's what I've got in mind. E.A.C. Aluminum lower - $67.00 + 10% for dealer fee = $73.70 Del- Ton RKT101 standard kit - $455.00 Total: $528.70 Only problem is no chrome lined barrel/chamber at this price. or dare I do this? E.A.C. Aluminum lower - $67.00 + 10% for dealer fee = $73.70 Model1sales 16'' AR15 C.A.R. Kit, 5.56 NATO, chrome lined chamber & bore = $450.00 Total: $523.70 |
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Jeez, thats a tough one. Out of your two choices, i think i would get the chrome-lined model1sales version. Seems the biggest negative of M1S (besides customer service) has been bolts. But replacing a bolt is easier and cheaper than a barrel. FWIW- i basically was going to do the same thing as you (price-wise)... but then BRD set in, and i got a Del-ton free-floated, chrome-lined, 14.5" phantom 5C2'ed, , ARMS BUIS'ed, M4gery. |
Can't be done - IF you expect it to be as reliable as a military arm - or unless you get some major parts donated for free. You can only build a 'plinker' for that amount. |
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Can't be done - IF you expect it to be as reliable as a military arm - or unless you get some major parts donated for free. You can only build a 'plinker' for that amount. So do you think I'd be better off on the dark side if I'm going to stay in this price range? |
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The Equipment Exchange is the only way I can think of being able to do it for under $500 with quality parts. Well that is how I did. I bought my upper from a member for cheap. Then got a complete stock assembly from another member. Then just got my lower and parts kit from my local gun shop. Finished out with a build cost of $460. The only thing is that you have to religiously watch EE and be real quick with the email and IMs to get the real good deals. |
Yes - if the rifle is intended as a self defense arm. Hey if you can find one of those used Colt M16A1 uppers (like Freefalls) then I'd say do it - though you will be limited to 55gr ammo. |
 Model one sales has the 5.56 chamber and chrome lines barrel in a complete 16" CAR kit, with either the A2 or A3 upper for $450. That only adds $35 to the total cost of the weapon. www.model1sales.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=KCE160CL&storeid=1&image=car16pre.gif I hope this helps a little. I've built much cheaper, but its hard, and the deals don't come along often. |
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I've never been so undecided on a gun purchase in my life! Over the last few days I've changed my mind about 50 times. Model1, no Del-Ton, wait no AK-74, Uh, maybe just a WASR. When it comes to guns I've always known exactly what I want. I'm just going crazy! Sorry for beating this thing to death. Hey Forest. Can you expound on what you mean by "plinker". Are we talkin jamomatic that will be lucky to put em into 4 inches. Or would a plinker be a bit better than that. Thanks for indulging me guys. |
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You said you were trying to stay around $500, you wanted the chrome lined chamber/ barrel, and you wanted 5.56. You were given a couple options. What part is giving you a hard time making the choice? If you haven't decided whether you want an AK or an AR, then work on that decision first. Either that or consult your magic 8 ball.......  ETA- You can have a reliable AR for this price range that will probably be more accurate than you. |
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You may also want to look at J&T distributing, there kits are suppossed to be very good, and I would also advise you to spend the extra $50 for crome lining www.jtdistributing.com/ 459.99+50 for the crome lining |
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I decided to build myself another new toy and try to stay on a budget. I have a few rifles with all the "bling" and all tricked out, but I wanted to have a nice basic no frills carbine and stay on a tight budget. I live in CT. so I can't have all the "evil" features except on the few pre-bans I do have and to buy another pre-ban lower just was not in my budget at this time. I bought alot of the parts right here on the EE and the rest from dealers that support this sight. This is just a basic M4gery with nothing too fancy. I may add a Eotech when the $$ permits and a nice sling and that's about it. Here is what I used; Rock River lower, DPMS LPK, KNS Anti-Rotation pins, Hogue Grip, Colt M4 fixed stock CMT "T" numbered upper, CMT bolt carrier assembly & charging handle Colt carry handle, Colt M4 handguards, Rock River 16" chrome lined 1/9 M4gery barrel Total build cost $673  I know rifles can be built for less than this but I was able to use all hand picked parts of high quality, not some mystery parts that come in some kits. All of these parts are brand new, no used stuff here. This build could have been done a little cheaper by not using some of the Colt parts and maybe using a Stag lower which is cheaper. |
Stickman, your right. I want a CAR, and thats what I'll getherMy next post to this thread will be pics of it. Thanks much for all the help guys. |
| I think you will be happy with what ever you end up ordering. Just make sure when you place your order that you specify the 5.56 chamber and the chrome lined barrel along with your other specs. Explain that you want to make sure that you get the right thing, and ask them if everything sounds correct to them. This prevents any misunderstandings, and stops chances of the wrong item being sent. |
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Here is another budget build I did for my father, it is a plain-jane 20" A2. Every part was used (in excellent condition) except for the LPK, which I bought new from Brownell's for $44. Most of the parts came from the EE, a few small parts I had. Stag lower, DPMS LPK, Colt A2 pistol grip, Colt A2 buttstock Bushmaster A2 upper, RRA bolt carrier, Colt bolt Colt 20" 1/7 HBAR, Colt A2 handguards Not a very good pic but here it is;  Total build cost, including what I paid for the parts I had already $542 Not bad for a rifle using alot of Colt parts! It's got 1K rounds through it and it is going strong, without a single malfunction. |
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All of the above advice is good. However, I have to take a slightly contrarian point of view in some respects. Even for new shooters who are not on a limited budget, spending $800-$1000 on a new type of rifle is intimidating. I'm an older (and worse) shooter and at this point in my life, budgegt is less of a consideration than in earlier years. However, I'm still focused on getting quality equipment that is appropriate to my needs. Avoiding junk goes a long way to assuring a good experience, but entry level equipment is not a bad thing. (It's like telling a new golfer he will never be any good until he buys the Whizzbang Go-Far 9000 clubs for $4,000, when a $500 set, a lot of practice, and talent can win a tournament.) 1) I have stamped and milled AK's and currently 3 AR's. The AK's are interesting collectors, dead reliable and great home defense firearms, however even my Bulgy milled AK still feels like an AK, slightly imprecise, although it's accurate (it's also well over $500). 2) Building a decent AR for $550 or so is perfectly practical, less if you get lucky with some used parts. And it's not likely to turn out to be junk. 3) A post above said you can't get a military level of reliability out of that price level. I would suggest you determine what you really need. I've built on three Model 1 sales kits and have had no problems and no failures over 3 years. Other makers, J&T, DPMS, etc. are just as good or better. Maybe they are not the equal of Colt at its peak or the best of RRA, but they will give you good value for your limited budget. 4) Since budget is really a consideration, you might ask for other opinions as to whether you need a chrome lined barrel. Is it better? It will last longer, but how many rounds do you plan to fire? Of my current AR's, one is chrome-lined, a slabside M16 Colt. Both my Oly A2 20inch HB and my Rock River/Model 1 16 inch are chromemoly barrels and I suspect will outlive me. No flames intended. |
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